In this edition of MedBound Times, Himani Negi and Dr. Akriti Mishra speak with Dr. Chintan Desai, a Dental Public Health professional currently pursuing advanced residency training in Dental Public Health at the Tufts University School of Dental Medicine. With a strong foundation in clinical dentistry and a growing focus on population health, Dr. Desai represents a new generation of dentist–public health leaders working at the intersection of care delivery, research, and health equity.
A BDS graduate from Sidhpur Dental College, Gujarat, and holder of a Master of Public Health in Epidemiology and Biostatistics from Jackson State University, Dr. Desai has trained at renowned institutions including the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine and the Eastman Institute for Oral Health, University of Rochester. His work on NIH-funded projects and large public health initiatives has strengthened his expertise in data-driven research, program evaluation, and evidence-based dentistry.
Dr. Desai’s academic interests span oral–systemic health, periodontal disease, and epidemiological research using national health databases. He has co-authored peer-reviewed publications in journals such as Cureus and the Journal of Perinatology, presented at forums including AADOCR, NOHC, and the New York State Oral Health Summit, and serves as a peer reviewer for international dental and biomedical journals.
Beyond research, he is deeply committed to preventive care and health equity, contributing to school-based oral health programs, maternal and child initiatives, and community outreach addressing early childhood caries and access to care. His dedication to ethical, service-oriented dentistry has earned him selection as a Fellow of the International Pierre Fauchard Academy (India Section).
In the part 6 of this interview series at MedBound Times, conducted by Himani Negi and Dr. Akriti Mishra, Dr. Chintan Desai outlines how community oral health initiatives progress from on-ground needs to well-structured outreach programs guided by data, ethical oversight, policy processes, and the expanding role of artificial intelligence.
Dr. Akriti: When you go for outreach programs, targeting either caries, periodontal diseases, cancer, or anything, do you look at the recent statistical data first, or what is the approach? Do you conduct a survey first, and then plan an outreach program, or is it vice versa? What is the protocol?
Dr. Chintan Desai: That is a very good question. In community outreach, there is no strict rule that we must conduct a survey before planning a program. The main priority is to provide clear and safe education to the public. So if we see a need in a community, we can organize an outreach event without completing a research study first. At the same time, using recent data is always helpful. In the United States, much of the oral health information is easy to access through state health departments and national reports. For example, if I want to know the prevalence of periodontal disease in older adults in Boston, I can review the available statistics and use that information to guide the program. Data helps us target the right age group or condition, but it is not a mandatory requirement before we begin the outreach.
Some programs start with a survey and then design the outreach based on the results. Others begin with an outreach event and later conduct a survey to understand the community needs in more detail. Both approaches are acceptable, depending on the goal of the program and the resources available.
One thing that is always necessary is permission from the location or community. We cannot set up an event on our own. We speak with the local community office or leadership, explain the purpose of the outreach, and request their support. They often help by announcing the event, sharing the information with residents, and encouraging participation. This cooperation helps make the program organized and effective.
So the process is flexible. Data can guide us, but the main goal is to reach people, share knowledge, and provide meaningful support to the community.
Dr. Akriti: Do you conduct research and then start the process of developing any policies, or is your part just with the research and data collection, and then giving it to someone else in a higher position who will be doing the policies?
Dr. Chintan Desai: Most of the time, my role is focused on collecting data, analyzing it, and preparing the findings. The development of policies is usually done by senior faculty members or leadership in the department, because they have the authority to decide how the information should be used at a broader level.
At the same time, if I have an idea that can genuinely benefit the community and it is supported by the data, I discuss it with my faculty mentor or program director. We review it together and decide if it is practical. If they feel the idea has value, we may work on a proposal or write a paper that presents the recommendation. Leadership then decides whether the idea should move forward and how it can be used in policy or program planning.
So while my primary responsibility is research and analysis, there are opportunities to contribute ideas that can shape future policies when the evidence supports them.
Dr. Akriti: For developing or publishing any policy, do you need the government's approval?
Dr. Chintan Desai: Yes, there is a process, but it works differently from what we might expect. When we conduct research that involves human participants, we do not need direct approval from the government. Instead, the university uses the Institutional Review Board, or IRB. The IRB is a committee that reviews the study to make sure it is safe and ethical for the people who take part in it.
Before starting any research project, we submit all details to the IRB. This includes who we plan to recruit, how we will protect their information, what procedures we will use, and how we will manage the data. The IRB studies our proposal carefully and only gives approval when everything meets the required standards. Once we receive that approval, we can begin the research.
This approval does not create a public policy. It simply allows the research to move forward in a responsible way. If the findings are strong, senior faculty members or public health leaders may later use the results to guide recommendations or support policy discussions. But for the research itself, the IRB approval is the main requirement.
Dr. Akriti: How does policy reform help in transforming community oral health outreach?
Dr. Chintan Desai: Policy reform has a major influence on how well community oral health programs work. When policies expand dental coverage or make preventive care more affordable, more families are able to receive routine services. Policies that encourage oral health screenings in primary care also help reach people who may not visit a dentist regularly.
Support for community based programs is another important factor. When policies allow trained community workers or outreach teams to provide basic preventive services in schools or rural areas, it brings care closer to the people who need it most.
Clear policy also makes it easier to use tools like telehealth and mobile clinics. When these services are recognized and supported, outreach becomes more efficient and more accessible.
In simple terms, good policy creates a system where preventive care is easier to access, and that is what truly strengthens community oral health.
Dr. Akriti: How has AI helped you in your outreach programs, doing surveys, or with any kind of community activity? Has it been a boon or a bane?
Dr. Chintan Desai: AI has been very helpful in both clinical work and community outreach. In my university, we have an AI laboratory where students and faculty work on tools that can improve efficiency and support patient care. One project focuses on voice assisted periodontal charting. Instead of entering every number by hand, the clinician speaks the measurements, and the system records them in the correct place. This saves time and allows us to focus more on the patient. The technology is still developing, but it shows how AI can support documentation in the future.
Another research project I am involved in uses digital scans of the mouth. We teach the system how to recognize different types of restorations, such as amalgam, composite, gold crowns, or ceramic crowns. The goal is to create a tool that can automatically identify these features from a scan. This work is still in the research phase, but it demonstrates the direction in which digital dentistry is moving.
When it comes to community outreach, AI has offered several advantages. Teledentistry is one of the biggest benefits. It allows patients in rural or underserved areas to receive guidance without needing to travel long distances. Families can get advice, basic evaluations, and follow up instructions from a provider who is not physically present. This helps school based programs, elderly patients, and people who have limited transportation.
AI supported digital platforms also make it easier to deliver health education. We can share videos, simple messages, reminders, and culturally appropriate content that families can access at any time. This helps reinforce oral health habits outside the clinic.
AI tools can also help public health teams analyze large amounts of data. They can identify trends, highlight communities at higher risk, and guide outreach planning. This allows us to design programs that are more focused and effective.
For me, AI has been a positive addition. It does not replace the clinician or the personal connection with the community, but it supports our work, saves time, and makes it easier to reach people who might not otherwise have access to care.
The next part brings the conversation back to the people who will carry this work forward. Dr. Chintan Desai, in part 7, shares practical guidance for dental students and young professionals, emphasizing communication, public health literacy, and the long-term value of community and rural service in building resilient, purpose-driven dental careers.